The Copper Family, Sussex’s folk singing dynasty, are celebrated in a new exhibition at the Library in partnership with Sussex Retold, a project led by Margaretta Jolly with the support of Sam Carroll, which explores the histories, heritage and landscapes of the Sussex regions.

The free exhibition runs until 28 April 2025 and showcases recordings of speech and song, photos of local shepherds, sketches including of pub-drinkers and the Copper Family’s 1971 box set vinyl LP A Song for Every Season, titled after Bob Copper’s memoir. They help tell a land-working and singing history of Rottingdean and Sussex Downland which he represented as part of a life-long learning for ‘Scholars of Simplicity’.

Sussex Traditions

We also celebrate the work of Sussex Traditions, a heritage and music charity connecting communities to their past and encouraging the development and sustenance of the many cultures of Sussex and its people into the future. As Steve Roud says: “it is not the grand issues of life which worry us here – they can look after themselves – but the lives of the ordinary people which are often allowed to be forgotten” (“Who Cares About Tradition?”)

The exhibition launched with a welcome by the Deputy Director of the Library Fiona Courage, and Sussex Traditions chair Mike Tristram, followed by songs from Bob Copper’s son John and daughter Jill and her husband John Dudley. The large audience were in fine voice, too, joining in for their final song ‘Thousands or More’. Many said later how invigorating it was to have local, rural and working-class heritage honoured by the University. These views were echoed by Robin Banerjee, Pro-Vice Chancellor for Global and Civic Engagement, who added that “The sense of community and human connection as everyone sang, walked, reminisced, and danced was palpable. The memorable evening underscored the importance and power of celebrating our local heritage together.”

The launch was followed by a lantern-lit singing walk from the library to The Swan Inn in Falmer village, for an evening of traditional music, song and dance with Laura Hockenhull, Ben Paley, Sam Carroll, Tom Evans and the Scan Tester Fan Club. The event evolved organically into a traditional sing-around with many audience members taking the floor for a ballad and Tom leading an impromptu workshop on step dancing.

Sussex Retold will offer more ways to embrace the vibrant and diverse folk cultures of our region over 2025, including with Sussex Modernisms expert Hope Wolf, composer Ed Hughes and land-use educator Perpetua Kirby.

For now, check out the super seasonal events of our partner Ditchling Museum of Art & Craft. And take a winter walk on the poetry trail “We Hear You Now: A spoken word audio journey around the Seven Sisters and Sussex Heritage Coast” with the South Downs National Park’s Writer-in-Residence Alinah Azadeh and Writing Our Legacy, with whom we are working to honour the diversity of local heritage.

To explore the Scholars of Simplicity online – including hearing oral history recordings and songs from the inimitable Bob Copper, simply click here: https://sussexdigitalcollections.uk/s/copper-archive

This event and exhibition were supported by the University of Sussex Library, and we especially thank Kevin Bacon, Sean Goddard and Nadia Pattenden.